Ktjfds porter



R. PORTER.

Fog Signal.

Patented June 10. 1856.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUFUS PORTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRIGT OF COLUMBIA.

MODE 0F SOUNDING WHISTLES FOR FOG-SIGNALS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 15,085, dated June 10, 1856.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUFUS PORTER, ofWashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and usefulSonorific Beacon; and I do hereby declare that the following is a fulland exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexeddrawings, making part of this specification, in which F igures 1, 2, and3 are vertical sections of different forms of whistles to be employed inthis apparatus; Fig. 4 represents the upper portion of a verticalcylinder to the head of which is attached a circle of whistles ofdifferent kinds; Fig. 5 is an elevation of a sonorific beacon erectedupon a shoal; Fig. 6 is an elevation of the same erected upon a rock;Fig. 7 is a profile of a floating beacon moored upon a shoal, and Fig. 8is 'a vertical view of the same.

The nature of this invention consists in attaching suitable whistles (ortrumpets) to the heads of strong vertical cylinders, and adjusting andsecuring the same in vertical positions, and in such manner that thewaves or swells of the sea will produce loud and shrill sounds, for thepurpose of indicating, and giving notice to mariners, of the location ofdangerous rocks or shoals.

The cylinders A and N may be made of galvanized iron or other metal, andsecured in upright positions by means of three inclined post-s B B B,fastened together at the top, as represented in Fig. 5, or supported bya strong vertical post P, firmly set in a rock, and passing up throughthe center of the cylinder, as represented in Fig. 6. These cylindersmay be twelve or fifteen inches in diameter and twenty-five feet long,the bottoms being open, and extending as low as the surface of lowwater. To the head of each cylinder are attached vertical whistles a 0,and the whole surmounted by a conspicuous metal-plate signal D.Moreover, the cylinders are furnished with interior clapper-valves E,near the heads thereof, which admit the air when the water recedes, butprevents its escape when the water rises.

The cylinder A is secured in its position by horizontal braces m m. (Insome cases it may be expedient to elevate one or more whistles, severalfeet above the head of the cylinder, with which they may communicate bya tube, as represented at I J Fig. 5.) Another mode of employing theundulation whistle, and constructing a sonorific beacon, is to attach asmall whistling cylin der F G, to each end of a long spar M, and moorthe same by chains to a rock (or anchor) H; the chain or hawser beingcon nected to the spar at about one third of its length from one endthereof, in consequence of which, the spar will take a position in thedirection of the wind or waves. To this spar may be attached across-spar (K, Fig. 8) but this arrangement is not supposed to be ofmuch utility. I

The whistles attached to the cylinders at the ends of the spar, willgive shrill sounds as often as the cylinders are plunged into the water.These cylinders may be two feet long by eight inches in diameter; andthey will not require valves, as they are so adjusted as to be raisedout of water, at the intervals of the waves.

The elevated whistles may be shielded from the snow or sleet storms, byhaving inverted cups placed over them; but the floating and plungingcylinders will require no such protection.

The sounds are produced by the escape of air from the cylinders, inconsequence of the undulation of the water. Some of the whistles willgive sound by small waves, while others are much louder, but requireheavier waves.

I claim The combination of vertical cylinders (or their equivalents) andwhistles attached thereto, for the purpose of having loud soundsproduced by the undulation of waves or swells, substantially as hereindescribed.

RUFUS PORTER. Witnesses:

NEWTON F. HART, N. H. STARR.

